Career Firefighter/EMT
Careers in the Fire Service
Welcome to SE Thurston Fire Authority, proudly serving the vibrant communities of Yelm and Rainier in beautiful SE Thurston County, Washington. If you’re considering a job in the fire service, you’re in the right place.
SE Thurston Fire is nestled amidst picturesque views of majestic Mount Rainier, our region boasts a unique blend of small-town pride and history that makes it a standout in Thurston County.
As stewards of these thriving cities, we understand the importance of our role as a vital part of this community. With a growth rate of over 42% in the past decade and a projected doubling of our population by 2035, Yelm and Rainier are not just growing; they’re flourishing.
Our area acts as a welcoming bedroom community for those working in neighboring cities like Tacoma, Olympia, and Centralia, and we proudly host military families from nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Additionally, Yelm is home to Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment, attracting students from around the globe for transformative events. Both Yelm and Rainier continue to be a thriving community that with business and infrastructure that is growing rapidly with no end in the foreseeable future.
Safety, affordability, excellent schools, abundant parks, and a tight-knit community spirit define life here. We’re the thriving hub of commerce for SE Thurston County, providing for the needs of over 30,000 residents daily.
A career in the fire service is a noble calling, where each day presents an opportunity to make someone’s worst day better. At SE Thurston Fire Authority, we offer comprehensive training to both career and volunteer firefighters. Our agency deals with wildland urban interface, participates in the Thurston County Special Operations Rescue Team (SORT), responding to emergency of all types, emergency medical calls, car wrecks, building fires over 84 square miles. Within this area it includes Yelm, Rainier, and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Thurston County. Annually we respond to over 4,000 emergencies, operating from two stations and proudly serving as the primary BLS transport agency.
With 33 dedicated career members and a thriving volunteer program, we are committed to excellence in serving our community. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we are honored to be your trusted partner in times of need.
If you believe that answering the call to serve and being part of our dedicated team is your true calling, we invite you to take the first step towards an extraordinary journey. As our agency stands at the threshold of something even greater, in sync with our rapidly growing community, we are searching for individuals who share our passion for making a difference.
To explore the exciting career opportunities awaiting you at SE Thurston Fire Authority, we encourage you to visit www.publicsafetytesting.com. There, you’ll find comprehensive information about our current openings, the qualifications we seek, and the rewarding path that awaits those who choose to join our ranks.
Your dedication, your commitment, and your desire to contribute to the safety and well-being of our beloved community can be the driving force behind the next chapter of SE Thurston Fire Authority. Join us as we continue to write the story of service, courage, and community excellence.
Become a part of something bigger. Embrace the call. Apply today and become the hero our community needs.
Career Opportunities:
Vacancies: 2 – 6 positions & establishing a hiring list
Hiring Process:
Entry Level —
Opens July 15, 2025
Written Closes August 12, 2025
Applications Accepted Until August 29, 2025
Lateral —
Opens July 15, 2025
Closes August 15, 2025
For questions or comments about the hiring process, contact hiring@setfa.org
